HAA Blog

Go Green Community Program

The City of Houston and The Houston Apartment Association Launch New Go Green Community Recycling Initiative

Program Aims to Increase Recycling in Apartment Communities

Houston (Nov. 15, 2011) – Today, the Houston Apartment Association (HAA) and the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) launched the Go Green Community initiative to increase recycling in apartment communities. The City of Houston also proclaimed Nov. 15 as Houston Recycles Day, which coincides with Texas Recycles Day and America Recycles Day.

With approximately 2,000 apartment communities in Houston city limits, HAA and SWMD hope to see 50 percent of those properties establish recycling programs by 2013. Many apartment communities already have adopted recycling programs and the Go Green Community initiative will recognize those efforts. Participating communities will be listed on the City of Houston and Houston Apartment Association web pages as Go Green Communities. They also will be eligible for a Go Green Community certificate to let their residents and others know of their efforts to create a cleaner, greener Houston.

“By its very nature, apartment living is a cleaner, greener option for Houstonians,” said HAA President Kim Small. “Apartment residents generally live in smaller homes and use less energy and resources than single-family home dwellers. As an association, we want to take our green initiatives one step further and to encourage on-site recycling to create even more environmentally friendly communities,” she said.

“HAA and its members are commended for their leadership and stewardship on this key issue,” said Harry Hayes, Solid Waste Management Department Director. “Every Houstonian should be able to recycle easily, thereby preserving valuable landfill airspace.”

“Mayor Annise Parker knows Houstonians are interested in transforming their communities to a greener place to live and work, and expanding recycling is at the top of the list,” said Laura Spanjian, Sustainability Director, City of Houston. “The new avenues and partnerships being developed to expand our environmental efforts are more tools to help the City of Houston reduce its carbon footprint as well as decrease waste. The partnership with HAA to create a Go Green Community is a significant milestone in reaching beyond our traditional scope to offer recycling services.”

Communities interested in joining can visit HAA’s website at www.haaonline.org/Recycling to obtain information regarding Best Management Practices (BMPs) that will assist in creating, implementing and maintaining their recycling programs and to register as Go Green Communities.

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About the Solid Waste Management Department:The Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) provides solid waste services to the citizens of Houston through the collection, disposal and recycling of discarded material in a manner that is safe, efficient, environmentally sound and cost-effective.

About the Houston Apartment Association:The Houston Apartment Association is a professional trade association that serves individuals and businesses involved in the ownership, construction, management, maintenance and operation of apartments and other rental dwellings in the Houston area. See www.haaonline.org for more information.